The difference: For the second straight postseason game, the ninth-seeded Giants (16-14) roared back in a hurry from a double-digit deficit. But this time they could not complete the rally, falling to the top-seeded Vikings during the NCS D-II quarterfinals in Santa Rosa. Molefi Thompson dropped 19 points, including five 3-pointers, and Nick Jones added 14 more for Redwood, which shook off an 18-4 first-quarter deficit and a 12-point hole in the third period to stay within one score in the final minute.

From the coach: "This is my sixth year at Redwood and I've never seen a team score points faster than this team. They're not afraid," Redwood's Steve Compagno said. "They didn't take a single possession off. Our kids didn't go away. They just kept coming, and I'm really proud of that."

Notable: Montgomery (23-5) got a huge performance from senior post Alec Raven, who went 14 of 18 from the foul line on his way to a game-high 30 points. He fueled the early outburst from the Vikings, who advance to play No. 4 Concord in Wednesday's semifinals. Will Breck scored nine points and Peter Kennedy added seven for Redwood.